GRAND RAPIDS, MI — You remember that short row of angled parking spaces in front of Founders Brewing Co. that always seemed to be full? Say goodbye to that.

On April 1, the brewery broke ground on a large-scale taproom expansion project that will expand the public areas of the facility to a second floor and bring the building out to the sidewalk.

On Thursday, the company released drawings of how the newly expanded taproom facility will appear when its finished this fall.

In place of the parking spots, Founders is building a 3,975-square-foot partially-covered beer garden that renderings show will feature high- and low-top seating, an outdoor bar and fireplace.

The taproom expansion is the second phase of the brewery’s $26 million overall brewery expansion project that aims to create more than 50 new jobs and increase annual production capacity to 340,000 barrels of beer.

Phase 2 plans also include construction of an educational facility for beer tourists, additional offices, an enlarged deli kitchen and company store.

The second floor area in the renderings show what the rental facility and educational area will look like when it’s finished — an interior space with a deck area overlooking the street and the beer garden.

Sarah Aldrich, marketing manager for Founders, cautioned that aspects of the renderings could change during construction this year.

The taproom, located at 235 Grandville Ave. SW, will stay open during construction and the current layout will remain unchanged except for the restroom and company store areas.